There’s a particular kind of courage required to strip away the masks we’ve worn for decades—the personas we built to survive, to please, to belong. For performer, teacher, and writer
, that journey began not with alcohol, but with food, and evolved into a 40-year exploration of what it means to live authentically.In our conversation, Deborah shared her unconventional path through recovery: discovering 12-step programs as a young waitress in 1970s New York, navigating the transition from overeating to alcohol addiction after moving to Norway, and ultimately finding freedom through sobriety 16 years ago. But what makes her story particularly compelling is how she connects physical voice work—teaching breath, movement, and the Alexander Technique—to the metaphorical voice we reclaim in recovery.
As Deborah puts it, “By stopping who we think we have to be, we experience who we are.” This isn’t just a philosophical statement—it’s the hard-won wisdom of someone who has spent decades helping others release the physical tensions that mirror our emotional blocks. Her approach offers a unique lens for understanding how sobriety opens the door to authentic creative expression.
Show Notes
[00:03] Opening the Door: An Unconventional Entry to Recovery
Deborah discovered 12-step programs through a chance conversation while working as a waitress in her early 20s
Started with Overeaters Anonymous, attending meetings in church basements when the program was less widely known
Would sit in the back of AA meetings, absorbing the wisdom even though alcohol wasn’t her primary issue at the time
Nearly 40 years into recovery from overeating, showing that the journey often begins long before we realize
[00:05] From New York to Norway: When Geography Changes Your Addiction
After moving to Norway and marrying, Deborah found herself drinking more in a culture where alcohol was deeply embedded
The phenomenon of “switching addictions”—having the “ism” already present, just waiting for a new substance
Went through five years of what she calls “the back door opening and closing”—getting sober, slipping, getting sober again
Made the conscious decision to get sober before moving to Berlin, knowing it would be her last chance
[00:08] The Creative Fear: What If Sobriety Dries Up the Muse?
Deborah’s biggest fear when getting sober: “I was so scared that I would dry up and I wouldn’t write songs anymore”
The revelation that it wasn’t just about stopping drinking—it required “almost relearning myself”
Recognizing her attraction to chaos and drama as fuel for songwriting
The challenge of discovering what leads you, how the muse finds you, without substances
Key insight: Getting sober isn’t automatic perfection—it’s a learning process of discovering who you are without the chaos
[00:11] The Swiss Alps Story: When Pressure Meets Addiction
Sent to a beautiful retreat in the Swiss Alps specifically to write songs with other singer-songwriters
Instead of writing, spent the entire week drinking
Couldn’t handle the pressure of “here you are, write a song”
A powerful example of how substances prevent us from meeting creative challenges head-on
[00:14] The Alexander Technique: Redirecting Energy
The Alexander Technique was originally created to help actors with voice work
It’s about recognizing habitual patterns and consciously redirecting them
Breakthrough concept: “How can you meet that [craving] and guide it differently? How can we take what has been unconscious and consciously be part of the direction of it?”
Panic is not breathing—by opening the body’s lines and allowing breath to flow, we can shift from panic to presence
Training takes nearly four years, similar to osteopathy in depth
[00:19] From Stage Fright to Creative Flow
Stage fright is everything closing in—no voice, no breath, no power
By moving away from that constriction, we create the potential for the opposite: movement, flow, power
Walking as a practice for shifting emotional states—the physical movement invites new mental patterns
Using Alexander thinking while walking creates a “double effect” for shifting depression or anxiety
[00:22] Sixteen Years Clear: The Gift of Waking Up
No hangovers, no muddled thinking—these remain gifts Deborah consciously appreciates
Recently completed an audiobook of her novel while navigating anxiety and perfectionism
The difference sobriety makes: increased meeting attendance, sharing vulnerabilities, one-on-ones with friends
Not worrying about drinking, but about “getting too loopy or getting too anxious or getting too negative and getting in my way, sabotaging”
Morning practices: Meditation, morning writing, movement, chanting (Nam-myoho-renge-kyo) to create vibrational shifts in the body
[00:29] The Life Lie: Why Authenticity Feels Like Death
Henrik Ibsen’s concept: “When a person gave up their life lie, they could give up their life”
What isn’t familiar—even if it’s good for us—will feel wrong
The hardest challenge: letting go of “who we think we have to be”
When we try to change, we feel like “broken pottery on the ground, just broken, and that they can’t be broken”
Living sober and creative means being “naked in a way”—a little more exposed, which takes getting used to
Key Quotes
“By stopping who we think we have to be, we experience who we are.” - Deborah Jeanne Weitzman
“I was so scared that I would dry up and I wouldn’t write songs anymore. So it wasn’t like, oh, you get sober, oh, everything’s perfect. I really had to almost relearn myself.” - Deborah Jeanne Weitzman
“Panic is not breathing. So if I could work on the Alexander technique—very much of opening the lines that we can, the breath can flow more.” - Deborah Jeanne Weitzman
“What isn’t familiar, even if it’s good for us, will feel wrong.” - Deborah Jeanne Weitzman
“Living creatively sober... naked in a way, right? A little more naked. And it takes getting used to.” - Deborah Jeanne Weitzman
Resources Mentioned
Set Your Voice Free - Deborah’s Substack newsletter dedicated to overcoming perfectionism
The Sinking of the Leonardo da Vinci - Deborah’s recently published novel (audiobook available)
Alexander Technique - A method for releasing physical tension and redirecting energy
Recovery Dharma - Buddhist-inspired recovery program mentioned in the conversation
12-Step Programs: Overeaters Anonymous (OA), Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo - Buddhist chant for creating vibrational shifts
Where to Find Deborah Jeanne Weitzman
🌐 Website: deborahjeanne.com
📧 Email: deborahjeanne@gmail.com
Deborah offers private coaching and workshops in writing, voice, breath work, and the Alexander Technique—both live and online. She offers free introductory sessions for those interested in exploring her work.
Your Next Step in Sobriety and Creativity
If Deborah’s story resonates with you—that fear of losing your creativity in sobriety, the exhaustion of performing who you think you should be, or the longing to find your authentic voice—you’re not alone.
The Sober Creative Method™ is a 90-day journey designed specifically for creative professionals who are ready to remove alcohol as the barrier to their greatest work. It’s not just about stopping drinking—it’s about the complete relearning Deborah described. It’s about discovering what leads you, how your muse finds you, and who you are when you’re not running from discomfort.
Through structured coaching, proven frameworks, and a community of fellow creatives, you’ll learn to:
Navigate the fear that sobriety will “dry up” your creativity
Redirect cravings and uncomfortable emotions without numbing
Build new patterns that support both clarity and creative flow
Create from a place of authentic expression rather than chaos and drama
💬 Curious about your next step? If you’re sensing that something’s holding you back, but you’re not sure what—reach out. Coaching, community, or clarity—it all starts with a conversation.
Thank You
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us live for this conversation, and to
for her extraordinary honesty and wisdom. Your presence and engagement make these conversations possible.P.S.
This conversation reminds us that the journey to authenticity isn’t about perfection—it’s about peeling back the layers of who we think we have to be. Deborah spent decades learning to free her literal voice while simultaneously freeing her creative and authentic voice. That same freedom is available to you.
What’s Next
The Sober Creative is more than a newsletter—it’s a movement of professionals reclaiming their creativity by choosing clarity over coping.
🎯 Take the Clarity Quiz: This assessment reveals certain patterns where alcohol may be the exact thing that is quietly sabotaging your creative potential. It’s free and only takes a few minutes.
✍️ Read the Essays: Stories and strategies for building a clear, creative, and intentional life.
🎙️ Join Clear Conversations: Honest talks with creative professionals navigating the intersection of sobriety, self-discovery, and breakthrough work.
💬 Curious about your next step? If you’re sensing that something’s holding you back, but you’re not sure what—reach out. Coaching, community, or clarity—it all starts with a conversation.
✨ The Sober Creative Method™ is a 90-day journey to remove alcohol as the barrier to your greatest work.
Each step forward is an act of becoming who you’re meant to be.
Thanks for walking this path with me.
Josh
P.S. Missed previous episodes? Browse the Clear Conversations archive to explore more conversations with creative minds in sobriety.
